Nigeria postpones presidential vote over security

The electoral commission in Nigeria has postponed the 14 February presidential election by six weeks over concerns about the security situation.

Commission chief Attahiru Jega said he had been told troops would not be available to help patrol the ballot because they would be fighting Boko Haram militants in the north-east.

Nigeria and four other states plan to deploy a joint force of 8,700 soldiers.

The election will now be held on 28 March instead.

President Goodluck Jonathan is facing a strong challenge in the contest.

The postponement is a highly contentious move, the BBC’s Will Ross reports from Lagos.

Officials from the main opposition party accuse the military of forcing the electoral commission into the delay to help the sitting president’s campaign.

It looks set to be a tight race between Mr Jonathan and the former military ruler, Muhammadu Buhari, our correspondent says.

The postponement may well increase the tension which is already palpable, he adds.

Analysis: Will Ross, BBC Nigeria correspondent, Lagos The delay is highly contentious and will be seen by many Nigerians as foul play. What is not clear at this stage is whether it will favour President Goodluck Jonathan or his rival, Muhammadu Buhari.

Attahiru Jega made a point of saying this was a decision taken by the electoral commission but clearly the “referee” was under intense pressure.

The Boko Haram conflict has raged for five years but just days before the vote Professor Jega was suddenly told the entire military would be focused solely on the north-east – in other words, “you are getting no help from the military, you are on your own”. With the threat of violence so real, he was put in a tight corner.

But it seems highly unlikely that the conflict will be brought to an end within the next few weeks so will the election be held at all? That may depend on whether some powerful personalities feel President Jonathan is well placed for a victory.